Maryland Free Fishing Days (2026) — June 6 & July 4 (Chesapeake Bay!)

MD 2026 free fishing days. Chesapeake Bay rockfish, Deep Creek Lake, Savage River trout, Ocean City marlin.

Maryland offers Free Fishing Days!

2026 MD Free Fishing Days

DateTypeNotes
June 6, 2026 (Saturday)Free Fishing Day — NontidalNo license needed for nontidal waters
July 4, 2026Free Fishing Day — TidalNo license for Chesapeake Bay!

Best Spots

WaterRegionSpeciesWhy Go
Chesapeake BayCentral MDStriped bass (rockfish), blue crabsAmerica's largest estuary — 200 miles!
Deep Creek LakeW MarylandLargemouth, smallmouth, pikeMD's largest freshwater — 3,900 acres!
Savage RiverW MarylandBrown, rainbow troutMD's premier trout stream — catch-and-release
Conowingo DamN MarylandStripers, shad, catfishGiant stripers below dam — 40+ lbs!
Ocean CityEastern ShoreFlounder, tuna, marlinWhite Marlin Capital of the World!

See all MD fishing spots.